According to the plan presented to the city council last night, it's for the development of a new patient tower.

The closure impacts part of 18th Street and calls for changes to John Orr Drive.

Hospital officials said those changes will help with the construction of the new $150 million patient tower.

"This brand new tower will be four stories," said Christopher Efaw, Tift Regional Medical center Outreach and Development VP. "The first floor will be a brand new emergency center. The second third and fourth floors will be new inpatient areas."

Tift Regional 's new entrance will be on Lee Avenue.

The groundbreaking for the 263,000 square foot tower is set for next January.

Officials estimate construction should take about two years to complete.